Rem(a)inders is a great conceptual installation exhibition at Galleria Continua. The title of the exhibition is the combination of the words remainders, objects that are no longer in use/cast away materials, and reminders, having to do with the passage of time/memory/recollection. The exhibition features several famous international artists including Ai Weiwei.

This large tree, decorated with beautiful colored plastic bags is the center piece in the gallery. The artist is Pascale Marthine Tayou, from Belgium. This installation is ironic. The plastic bags are useful, useless, cheap (when used to store goods) and expensive (when used by a famous artist to decorate a tree).

Ai Weiwei’s installation is comprised of bicycles that are cut into 5cm pieces. The bicycle brand is Yong Jiu Pai which translates to forever. As China becomes a stronger economic power, cars will completely replace bicycles. Those of older generations will pass away and the memories of the Bicycle Tides that swept through the lanes, streets and boulevards of the cities will be forgotten. The installation makes the audience contemplate the history and development of China through pure mass material.

This Buddha sitting on top of a pile of old rags, clothes and electronic materials is by Michelangelo Pistoletto. Buddhism tells us that there is suffering because of desire. Craving pleasure and material goods causes suffering because these desires can never be satisfied.

Galleria Continua
Ai Weiwei Forever Bicycles